Gun cleaning device



w32. w. VAN RlxEL, .1R ggpm @un CLEANING DEVICE Filed NGV. 18 1950Patented Aug. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES WILLIAM VAN RIXEL, JR., OEGREENBAY, WISCONSIN.

GUN CLEANING DEVICE Appncauon mea November 1s, madlsepiai no. 496,516.

The inventionrelates to a cleaning device for gun barrels or othertubes, and more especially to automatically driven rod cleaners, for gunbarrels, either straight bored, j back bored or choke bored.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a cleaner ofthis character, wherein the head thereof is novel in form so as toenable the quick and convenient insertion, removal and assemblage ofcleaning elements therein, these being tensioned near opposite ends, sothat such elements will snugly hug the wall of the barrel or other tubeand automatically adjust themselves to compensate for any deformities inthe wall and wear on the latter or said elements.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cleaner of thischaracter, wherein its rod carries a centering device or member to fitvarying gages of gun barrels and this rod is motor driven.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a cleaner of thischaracter, wherein the cleaning elements are readily accessible throughthe free end of the rod, which is of novel form.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a. cleanerof this character which is extremely simple in construction, thoroughlyreliable and eiicient in its purposes, strong, durable, and inexpensiveto manufacture.

With the above and other obj ects in view the invention consists in thefeatures of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as willbe hereinafter more fully described, illustra-ted in the accompanyingldrawing, which discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention, andpointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a cleaning device constructed in accordancewith the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view through thehead of the rod, on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail plan view of the head with the cleaning elementsremoved.

Figure-5 is avertical sectional view through the head cap:` f Similarreference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout ltheseveral views in the drawing. v

AReferring Atothe drawing in detail A designates generally an electricmotor of any approved type having fa driving shaft 1() with which iscoupled in any suitable manner a cleaningrod-ll, the latter being fittedwith a-centering device 12, which may be either stationary or rotatablyengaged withsaid rod. This'rod 11 may be made up of'one or any number ofsections as desired.

On the outer end of the rod 11-is detachably fitteda circular head 13,formed with crossed longitudinally disposed slots 14 and 15,respectively, these opening through the end of the head and through theopposite sides thereof. The outer end of the head 13 is externallylreduced as at 16, for accommodating a rimmed cap 17, the latter beingtelescoped over the reduced end 16, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of thedrawing.

In the head 13 at the inner end of the slots 14 and 15 is a recess 18common to all of the slots to provide an abutment lip 19 at the innerend of each slot, as shown in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawing.

Fitted within the respective slots 14 and 15 are cleaning elements inthe form of felt strips 20, each being provided at opposite ends withstops 21, these at the inner ends of the slots 14 and 15, coacting withthe abutment lips 19, while those at the outer ends of ,K n

the slots coact with the rim of the cap 17 to limit the outward movementof the elements 20 assembled in the head 13 of the rod.

Disposed in crossed relation to each other within the head 13 andworking against the strips 2O are coiled expansion springs 22 serving toconstantly force the said strips outward of the slots 14 and 15 for snucontact with the wall of the bore of a gun barrel or other tube.

Interposed between the ends of the crossed springs 22 and the innerfaces of the strips 2O are suitable follower plates 23, to prevent thesprings from working into the strips as will be apparent. f

It will be obvious that the strips can be readily and easily insertedinto and removed from the head with dispatch. This assures quick andeasy assemblage and also permits replacement when the occasion requires.The strips are inserted through the open ends of the slots 14 and 15when the cap 17 is removed from the end of the head of the The centeringdevice 12 enables the rod 11 to be properly centered within a gun barrelor other tube while the cleaning device is use.

What is claimed is:

In a device of the kind described, a rod having a centering member atone end adapted for connection with a driving` shaft of a power element,a circular head of uniform diameter in cross-section throughout itslength and having crossed intersecting slots opening through theperiphery thereof at diametrically opposite points of the same andthrough one end, said slots being extended for a major portion of thelength of the head and the latter forming overhanging lips to the innerends of said slots, a capremovably fitted and telescoped over the end ofthe head through which the slots open and having a rim constituting lipsoverhanging the slots at this end of said head, means at the other endof the head for its detachable mounting on the other end of the rod,felt cleaning strips movably fitted in said slots and having end stopscoacting with the lips to limit the outward movement of the strips, andsprings within the slots and working against opposed strips at theirends to yieldably protrude said strips from the slots. Y

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

WM. VAN RIXEL, JR.

